Foldable clock device



2 Aug. 2, 1938. H. LATHROP 2,125,294

EOLDABLE CLOCK DEVICE Filed June 19, 1937 INVENTOR 649/? vm A 077/901 4 AT fiORNEY 7 Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE CLOCK DEVICE Harvey Lathrop, Forest Hills, Long Island, N. Y.

Application June 19, 1937, Serial No. 149,052

2 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to the type of article known generally as a travelers clock, and has particular reference to a new and improved foldable clock device.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide an ornamental unit which includes a frame for a clock or the like, and associated parts which permit the unit to be folded into a compact form when it is to be packed in a suitcase or the like or transported from place to place.

A further object of the invention lies in providing a device which is so constructed that it may be opened to support and display the clock in upright position, the device thereupon presenting an unusually attractive and ornamental appearance.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide a unit which, when opened up and in use, presents the appearance of a clock standing upright upon an ornamental fiat base, the fold- .able nature of the unit being unapparent.

The present construction is characterized by the association with a frame for the clock of a base comprising three hinged panels, the medial panel being relatively narrow and being in pivotal association with the clock frame. When the device is to be folded up, the frame is swung into alignment with the medial panel, and the outer panels may thereupon be swung upwardly to sandwich the clock frame between them. When the device is to be opened, the three base panels are arranged in a horizontal plane, and the clock frame is swung crosswise with respect to the medial panel.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in folded condition;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the device in partially opened condition;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the device in fully opened and set-up condition;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, I have shown a clock frame ID of substantially square configuration, i. e., both the front face H and the rear face of the frame being arranged parallel to each other and having the same size and shape.

The frame I0 is provided with means for accommodating a clock iii, the clock lying in its entirety within the confines of the frame l0 and presenting its face to view at approximately the midportion of the front face ll.

While I have referred to the timepiece as being a clock, and shall use this term hereinafter and in the appended claims, it will be understood that the timepiece is preferably of the nature of an enlarged watch; and the term clock is, therefore, intended to signify any timepiece that may be suitable for the present type of device.

The base of the present device comprises the three flat panels l4, l5, and I6, hinged to each other along the hinge lines I! and I8. The outer panels [4 and I6 preferably conform in size and shape to the front and rear faces of the frame III. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel [4 has a substantially square configuration conforming to the size and conformation of the front face ll of the frame ID; the other outer panel I6 cor responds in a similar manner to the rear face of the frame Ill.

The medial panel I5 is relatively narrow and has a width substantially equal to the width of the frame bottom, i. e., the distance between the hinge lines I! and I8 is substantially equal to the distance between the front and rear faces of the frame II] at the bottom edge of the latter.

In accordance with my invention, the frame I0 is mounted upon the medial panel l5 for swinging movement of the frame around a vertical axis. This pivotal mounting may be accomplished in the manner illustrated most clearly in Figure 4, in which I have shown a vertical pivot pin I9 extending upwardly into the frame I 0 and extending downwardly through a foot which is adhesively or otherwise secured to the panel 15.

The object of this pivotal mounting is to permit the frame II] to be swung between the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 2, the frame is in substantial alignment with the medial panel 15, thereby permitting the outer panels I4 and Hi to be swung upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame l0. In Figure 3, the frame ID has been swung across the hinge lines I! and I8.

Preferably, the frame I0 carries the feet 2| and 22, having the same thickness as the foot 20, these feet bearing against the upper surfaces of the panels l4 and 16 when the frame is in the position of Figure 3. This serves to help in maintaining the panels l4 and IS in fiat horizontal relationship.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the frame I0 is composed of two parts, as illustrated most clearly in Figure 5, these parts consisting of an outer frame element 23 defining a medial aperture, and an inner frame element 24 mounted in the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the frame element 23 along a horizontal axis. I have illustratively shown horizontal pivot pins 25 extending between the frame elements 23 and 24,

these pivot pins being in alignment and permitting the inner frame element 24 to be swung around a horizontal axis with respect to the outer frame element 23. This permits the inner frame element 24 to beadjusted at slight oblique inclinations to suit the convenience of the use-ref, the device.

Also for illustrative purposes, I have shown the clock l3 in the form of an element which is removably secured to the inner frame element 24.

My invention preferably provides for such removable association of the clock or watch with the framell In the form shown, the clock is substantially circular, as is the inner frame element '2 and the latter is provided with an inner-ribiiB defin-- ing front and rear 'shoulders.- The front cover-21 of the clock is removable with respect to the body 28 of the clock; and the latter is provided with a rib 29 which is adapted to bear against the rear shoulder defined by'the rib 26. Similarly, the front cover 21 is adapted to bear against the front shoulder of the rib 26. Accordingly; the clock may be removably applied to .the frame ii] by unscrewing or removingthe front cover 21, and

thereupon withdrawing the body 28 rearwardly.

In the illustrated clock, I have also shown a stem wind knob 30; and to make this knob accessible, the inner frame element 24 is flattened at the bottom, as shown at 3|, leaving a'recess within which the knob 30 is disposed. To permit the insertion and removal of the clock, the inner frame element 24 is also provided with a slot 32 to accommodate the stem 33 of the winding mechanism.

The details'of the watch construction, and.

its manner of removable'accommodation within the clock frame, do not form any part of the salient features of the present invention; and the details herein illustrated and hereinbefore described, so far as the clock construction and mounting are concerned, are offered .merely for illustrative purposes.

Essentially, the novelty and advantages of the 1 present construction lie inthe ability'to fold it up into the compact attractive unit shown in Figure'l, and to open it up" into the pleasing relationship of parts shown in Figure 3.

While the several elementsof'the construction 1 may be composed 'of any desired material, and

leather designated by the reference'nunierals fl' in Figures 4 and 5, but it will be understood that any ornamental covering material maybe used; or a covering material might be completely omitted, if desired. 1

It is also preferable to ornament the inner sur faces of the panel's 4,153, and lfi', as indicated by the ornamental border" 35 shown most clearly in.

Figure 3. "This ornamentation 'is continuous across the hinge lines I! and'l8, so that when the device is set up in opened condition the upper exposed surfaceof the base is provided with a continuous ornamentation which makes the base appear as though it were a single unit.

,-..Wh en the device is used, an unusuallyattractiveclock andbase device is pre'sentedto View. Where the frame is composed of the inner and louter elements 23 and 24, the clock may be con- "veniently tilted in an attractive manner.

the clock is to be wound or set, access is easily When had the knob at for thisv purpose. In the case of a clock having a'winding and setting mecha- 5, nism at the. back, access for winding and setting purposes is even easier.

'When it is desired to fold the device, for purposes of packing it in a suitcase1or-;the-.1ike,'it is merely, necessary to swing the frame from the position of FigureB to' the position of Figure 2, whereupon the outcry-panels and l6 may:be swung upwardly to'sandwichthe frame between them.- The device may then ice-convenientlymaintained'in closed-position'by a strap 36 or its equivalent, preferably carried by one of the panels l4 and I6, adapted to extend across the frame In, as shown in Figure 1, and having at its end one element of two cooperable snapfasteners or the like, the other fastening element If desired,

beingindicated at 31 in Figure 2. the strap 36 may be so mounted in associationwith the panel l4 that when the device is set up, it maybe adjusted beneath the panel I4 so as to be completely concealed from view.

It will be obvious that the'shape of the clock frame need not necessarily be square or evenrectangular;.that the clock, itself, need not have a circular contour; and that it is not even essential-that the frame I ll have a uniform width from top to bottom.

In general, it will be obvious that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, maybe made'by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thusdescribed my invention, and il-:'

lustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a foldable clock device, a frame for the clock, a base comprising three hinged panels, the medial panel having a widthsubstantially equal to the Width of the frame bottom, andmeans pivotally securing the frame'to said medial panel for swinging movement of the frame arounda vertical axis, .whereby the device may be held open by swinging the frame-across the hinge lines of the base, and whereby -the;-device; may be folded up by swinging the frame into'alignment;

with said medial panel and swingingtheouter panels upwardly, to sandwich the framel )etwe er 1;v

them.

2. In a foldable clock device, the combination with the elementsfof' claim '1 of feet 'elements 1 carried by the frame'and adapted to bear againsti said outer panels when the device is open, there-* by helping to retain saidpanels i'n' fiat alignment with the medial panel. nARvEv Tn o 

